"............Sunday, Shirreffs committed to giving Zenyatta a few days off, but not much else. There are some options out there," he said, talking about potential races. Shirreffs said the $600,000 Stephen Foster Handicap over 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs on June 12 is a possibility. The race has appeal since it is run on the same track as the Breeders' Cup Classic in November, a long-term goal for Zenyatta. Last fall, Zenyatta became the first female to win the BC Classic, doing so at Santa Anita....."
Interesting comments in this article from DRF today. Seems to me Sherriffs has indicated his plans to get RA's camp to go along. There would be absolutely no reason for these two not to meet up in this race. RA is training great at Churchill.....last Monday's 5/8ths in 1:00.1 and this mornings 3/4's in 1:12 indicates all system are go. There is 2 months before the Foster so anyone that doesn't make this race is running from the challenge. Personally I don't think that is an issue with these two....it was more circumstances and bad decisions that kept RA from making their first engagement. If RA's camp doesn't look to see this through then something is amiss.....but after this AM's eye opening move, that doesn't seem likely. TJ
Perfect Spot for Z and RA to Meet
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster
ElPrado wrote:The main thing that's amiss is that Jackson doesn't want Rachel beaten. Jackson is a control freak. Asmussen can't run Rachel without Jackson telling him where. Asmussen has said that Rachel is in fine shape now. We will see Rachel somewhere after Zenyatta is committed someplace else.
Hi ElPrado,
If that is the case.....Mr. Jackson did a pretty good job last season. Just to qualify, so this doesn't become another soap box for the RA versus the Z fans....by amiss, I meant something physically wrong with her. After RA's last two breezes at CD it doesn't seem that anything is wrong. Slightly over two weeks ago, Asmussen did announce that RA would be on a schedule to breeze every Monday till he see's fit to run her. Therefore I see this as an optimum spot to stage this most anticipated race. TJ
The Stephen Foster could be a great spot for a match.
Rachel is currently training very well(well, at least on paper-still haven't seen video). Two bullet works in a row at CD. Her 5 f split today would have been another bullet. Looks very good.
So, do we see her in the La Troienne or the Humana Distaff?
She will be in one of these. Book it.
Rachel is currently training very well(well, at least on paper-still haven't seen video). Two bullet works in a row at CD. Her 5 f split today would have been another bullet. Looks very good.
So, do we see her in the La Troienne or the Humana Distaff?
She will be in one of these. Book it.
diomed wrote:The Stephen Foster could be a great spot for a match.
Rachel is currently training very well(well, at least on paper-still haven't seen video). Two bullet works in a row at CD. Her 5 f split today would have been another bullet. Looks very good.
So, do we see her in the La Troienne or the Humana Distaff?
She will be in one of these. Book it.
Hi Diomed,
It seems to be a great spot for them to meet......it would certainly be more than a match race as there should be some boys out there with a little heart. Below is a link to a a video and great story about Zenyatta. TJ
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/sport ... a.html?hpw
For all those interested, Rachel Alexandra was not nominated to the Grade 1 Humana Distaff sheduled to be run Deby Day, May 1st at 7/8ths of a mile.
She has been nominated to the Grade II La Troienne to be run Friday, April 30th at 1 1/16th miles. Also nominated is Mr. Sherriffs, Zardana (Arg). This would be a perfect place for RA to get started....she will have time enough for 2 more works to assess her current form and a perfect prep for a possible showdown with Zenyatta in the Foster. TJ
She has been nominated to the Grade II La Troienne to be run Friday, April 30th at 1 1/16th miles. Also nominated is Mr. Sherriffs, Zardana (Arg). This would be a perfect place for RA to get started....she will have time enough for 2 more works to assess her current form and a perfect prep for a possible showdown with Zenyatta in the Foster. TJ
TJ wrote:For all those interested, Rachel Alexandra was not nominated to the Grade 1 Humana Distaff sheduled to be run Deby Day, May 1st at 7/8ths of a mile.
She has been nominated to the Grade II La Troienne to be run Friday, April 30th at 1 1/16th miles. Also nominated is Mr. Sherriffs, Zardana (Arg). This would be a perfect place for RA to get started....she will have time enough for 2 more works to assess her current form and a perfect prep for a possible showdown with Zenyatta in the Foster. TJ
Zardana did it once....just might do it again....then what ?
A great man cannot help himself," "He can see things that other men cannot see themselves, and his greatness lies in doing whatever is necessary to make his vision real
reenci wrote:TJ wrote:For all those interested, Rachel Alexandra was not nominated to the Grade 1 Humana Distaff sheduled to be run Deby Day, May 1st at 7/8ths of a mile.
She has been nominated to the Grade II La Troienne to be run Friday, April 30th at 1 1/16th miles. Also nominated is Mr. Sherriffs, Zardana (Arg). This would be a perfect place for RA to get started....she will have time enough for 2 more works to assess her current form and a perfect prep for a possible showdown with Zenyatta in the Foster. TJ
Zardana did it once....just might do it again....then what ?
Not quite sure what your point is, but the big boys and girls in this business know how to take a hit. If you get beat, you regroup and see if you can change that outcome in the next race. That's horseracing....and as Leroy Jolley put it, "You don't play this game in short pants". We are lucky enough to witness a possible showdown between two really great horses.....isn't that all that matters? TJ
diomed wrote:I will boldly say that if Rachel runs to how she has been training she will blow the doors off Zardana.
If I am wrong, I will eat crow but I am not worried about it.
I was worried before the NO Ladies but not this time around. Rachel will be a much fitter horse on Oaks day.
Hi Diomed, RA and Zardana are both nominated to the La Troienne....but neither is a confirmed starter. If they both meet up again, it would answer a lot of questions for Rache'ls camp as to her readiness to face Zenyatta. I'm looking forward to RA's work this Monday....I think it will prompt Asmussen/Jackson to make a decision whether or not she will be in the gate for the La Troienne. TJ
TJ wrote:diomed wrote:I will boldly say that if Rachel runs to how she has been training she will blow the doors off Zardana.
If I am wrong, I will eat crow but I am not worried about it.
I was worried before the NO Ladies but not this time around. Rachel will be a much fitter horse on Oaks day.
Hi Diomed, RA and Zardana are both nominated to the La Troienne....but neither is a confirmed starter. If they both meet up again, it would answer a lot of questions for Rache'ls camp as to her readiness to face Zenyatta. I'm looking forward to RA's work this Monday....I think it will prompt Asmussen/Jackson to make a decision whether or not she will be in the gate for the La Troienne. TJ
Two 6f bullets are not enough? What if she records another bullet? LOL. I know what you mean though. We will see.
diomed wrote:TJ wrote:diomed wrote:I will boldly say that if Rachel runs to how she has been training she will blow the doors off Zardana.
If I am wrong, I will eat crow but I am not worried about it.
I was worried before the NO Ladies but not this time around. Rachel will be a much fitter horse on Oaks day.
Hi Diomed, RA and Zardana are both nominated to the La Troienne....but neither is a confirmed starter. If they both meet up again, it would answer a lot of questions for Rache'ls camp as to her readiness to face Zenyatta. I'm looking forward to RA's work this Monday....I think it will prompt Asmussen/Jackson to make a decision whether or not she will be in the gate for the La Troienne. TJ
Two 6f bullets are not enough? What if she records another bullet? LOL. I know what you mean though. We will see.
Hi D,
Thought you would like to read this article in the DRF. last evening. TJ
http://drf.com/news/article/112230.html
TJ wrote:diomed wrote:TJ wrote:diomed wrote:I will boldly say that if Rachel runs to how she has been training she will blow the doors off Zardana.
If I am wrong, I will eat crow but I am not worried about it.
I was worried before the NO Ladies but not this time around. Rachel will be a much fitter horse on Oaks day.
Hi Diomed, RA and Zardana are both nominated to the La Troienne....but neither is a confirmed starter. If they both meet up again, it would answer a lot of questions for Rache'ls camp as to her readiness to face Zenyatta. I'm looking forward to RA's work this Monday....I think it will prompt Asmussen/Jackson to make a decision whether or not she will be in the gate for the La Troienne. TJ
Two 6f bullets are not enough? What if she records another bullet? LOL. I know what you mean though. We will see.
Hi D,
Thought you would like to read this article in the DRF. last evening. TJ
http://drf.com/news/article/112230.html
This was posted on another board.
Still not worried. LOL.
(especially if Rachel has another solid work).